Preformed slab and shell construction



Nov. 6, 1956 c. K. BROWN, JR 2,769,332

PREFORMED SLAB AND SHELL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 18, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 52 R5? 55 43 53 5/ 53 1 .l I 40 Q 7/? 46 iir 44 26 16 M d 46 l9 I 4a INVENTOR. 2 CHARLES KEPLER BROWMJR W A TTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 c. K. BROWN, JR 2,769,332

PREFORMED SLAB AND SHELL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 18, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 xxxaxxxx xxx-mu 4 JNVENTOR. CHARLES KEPLER BROWN, JR

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ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 c. K. BROWN, JR 2,769,332

PREFORMED SLAB AND sang CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 18, 1950 3 Shets-Sheet s Ill/11.1111 14.1".

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INVENTOR. CHARLES K E PLE' R BROWN, JR

ATTORNEY Un1ted Statesv Patent .0. rice Patented Nov. 6 1956 This invention refers to the building of masonry structures and 'more particularly to those involving concrete and prefabricated walls.

It has among its objects to provide a new and improved building structure that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved building structure that can be fabricated out of molded materials into separated wall sections.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved wall structure that can be made in separable wall sections that are adjustable in position and adaptable for various degress of anchoring.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved wall structure that is made up in plural -.parts arranged to be coordinately assembled together and .brought against each other by mechanical means into predetermined contact and tightness.

Additional objects will be noted as the invention is ioutlined in more detail.

- For a better understanding of the invention, its prin- (ClPlCS and objects, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate several forms of the .mvention and are explained in the following description, :while the claim indicates the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view in section of a wall structure :embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation in section taken on line of Figure 1 showing the ceiling section;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the wall using either steel or concrete construction;

Figure 4 is a sectional view in detail of a concrete gut- .ter section assembled with the wall and roof section;

Figure 5 is an elevational detail of a modified connection used for tieing the wall and roof sections together;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but indicates another form of wall and roof connection;

Figure 7 shows, in section, the wall units separated so the rope 14 can be threaded through to tighten the unit together; and

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of a wall using steel plates and structural forms to complete the construction.

Figure 9 is another modified form of beam, shown in sectional elevation taken on line 9--9.of Figure 10; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Similar reference characters pertain to the same parts throughout the figures.

In the construction shown taken through a wall of concrete as illustrated. .It is made in halves 10 and 20, which are symmetrically designed to form oppositely disposed panels to contact, yet separate, each from the other and provide air and insulating spaces 11 in between. The walls are provided with lugs 12 and 22, respectively projecting from the inner faces and suitably spaced. These lugs have passages 13 and 23, extending horizontally therethrough for a rope in Figure 1, a section is 14 to pass through as shown. Also interiorly disposed and projected are a series of apexed partitions 15, and 25, spaced between the lugs and located a suitable distance from each other. They are also pierced to provide holes 16 and 26 respectively. The sets of holes and passages in the lugs and partitions are respectively arranged out of alignment with each other and have the rope 14 passed through them. Bringing the rope 14 taut pulls the wall halves 10 and 20 together so the partitions 15 and 25, make contact and keep them separated enough to provide air spaces 11 in between them. The walls are preferably reinforced by the steel r'ods 46 in a conventional manner.

Where a floor 48 or ceiling 49 is to be tied into the structure, the floor is provided with anchors 17 projecting therefrom with eyes 18 formed on the projecting end and of a size to suit the passage of a rope 24 therethrough. The rope 24 runs through the various eyes 18 at right angles to the axis of the anchors so that they act to tighten the walls 10 and 20 and floor 48 together as indicated in Figure 2. The ceiling49 is formed of two oppositely disposed panels and 51. Section 50 is provided with partitions 52 to create air and insulating spaces 54 be tween it and section 51. Holes 53 are provided in the partitions 52. The section 51 is provided with lugs having holes 56 so a rope 57 can pass through the holes 523 and 56 to tighten the: sections together in the same manner as the ropes 14 are used. The end portions of ropes may-be thimbled in any manner suitable for their particular uses to hold them in place in the walls.

- However where the ends are terminated at a wall, a sleeve or thimble 19ispreferably pressed or welded on. This sleeve 19 can also be screw threaded externally and arranged to take a wing nut 21, so that the arrangement can-be tightened up against the surface of the wall. A washer 27 may be used to take. up the pressure on the face of the wall. 1 Window and door frames hold the rope ends in a similar manner, as shown in Figure 2.

The arrangement is self-explanatory in Figures 1, 2 and 7 in the drawings. The wall, ceiling and floor sections are preferably precast to the general form shown, with window and door frame inserted therein. Then the ropes are positioned through the holes and passages and made taut so that the wall sections 10 and 20 are brought tightly against each other and make an assembled structure. Likewise the floor 48 and ceiling 49 are brought together by using the anchors and ropes as indicated in Figure 2. Then to lock the walls etc. together, the wing nuts 21 are tightened in place to complete the attachment. The wall sections enable the assembly to be made easily because they can be made thin and light.

In a modified form of the structure as shown in Figure 3, the use of steel columns 28 with cross beams or girders 29 are employed instead of concrete or masonry, and the rope 14 is used as before. In this case however the use of steel plates 30 that interlocked as shown in Figure 8 is provided for. The partitions consist 'of V-like or apexed members 31 welded at their feet 33 to one side where they are spread apart and contacting the opposite plate to keep it apart from the first plate 30. Similarly the anchors 17 are used as before described. The roof beam is anchored in place also and the end portion 34 of the column 28 is cut to make it fit suitably in place. The

' concrete insert 35 is run in between the sections of the column to provide a fire break or rather to prevent the heat in case of fire, from being transmitted through the column and spreading the fire throughout the building, as occurs in many fires where steel structure is used continuously.

In Figure 4, the roof structure 36 includes a gutter 37 of suitable form in between it and the column 28 with all secured through the use of a rope 14 connected as previously .described. In Figure 5 the roof beam 36 is notched at 38 to enable the column 28 to fit rigidly thereon. Similarly the notch 39 in the beam is provided for the same purpose in Figure 6. In Figure 7 the walls are separated so the rope 14 can be positioned. in the apexed parts before the partitions are pulled tightly, together. In this instance the wall sectionsare held rigidly at the bottom and top to the floor installed between them.

The unit may be assembled preferably along the following lines. The wall halves 10 and 20 are positioned together and the ropes 14 drawn to assemble the halves 10' and 20 together. The wall is then placed on the floor 48 and the ropes 24 tightened through the anchors 17 to hold the wall firmly to the floor. The ceiling sections 50 and- 51 are then assembled and the rope 57 tightened to form a unit. A rope 58 is then threaded through the holes in the partitions and 25 and lugs 22 and through the anchors 43 andtightened together to form a com plete unit.

The idea of employing rope is unique and has proven to be effective. It takes up the elfects of expansion due to heat and cold temperatures. It enables the ropes to be used under the conditions required which by reason of their flexibility permits them to make all desirable adjustments without disturbing their effectiveness. The materials are inexpensive and are obtainable readily in any ordinary locality and can be applied Without much skill. All these features keep down the cost and make the structure economical to erect.

In the modified form shown in Figures 9 and 10, the short humps or ribs 60 are made with passages 61, therethrough for the rope or cable 14 to pass through it similarly to the arrangement previously described. Since the ribs or humps 60, are too limited in depth to space the main slabs, apart, the adjustable bars 62 are installed for the purpose and keep them mechanically separated. The general principles of operation are similar to those previously described.

While several forms of the invention are shown in the drawings and described'in the specification, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to these particular forms, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A building structure comprising a ceiling portion and a wall portion, each of said portions comprising parallel oppositely disposed panels, said panels having integrally formed therewith spaced lugs and partitions protruding alternately from one panel towards its opposing panel, with the lugs spaced from and the partitions contacting and spacing the panel opposite thereof, a plurality of aligned openings in each of said lugs and partitions, flexible cables extending through said openings and securing said opposing panels to each other, an anchor member having an aperture therein secured to the ceiling portion and extending downwardly towards the wall portion and one of the flexible cables securing the wall panels to each other extending through the anchor aperture to secure the ceiling portion to said wall portion, said wall portion supported on a floor and an anchor member extending from the said floor into the space between opposing wall panels and another ,of said flexible cable securing opposite wall panels to each and to the floor anchor to secure said wall portion to the floor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,842 Loehner Jan. 28, 1913 1,980,397 Geiger Nov. 13, 1934 2,058,285 Amescua Oct. 20, 1936 2,101,416 Venzie Dec. 7, 1937 2,105,854 Buck Jan. 18, 1938 2,120,838 Lawrence June 14, 1938 2,208,589 Leemhuis July 23, 1940 2,294,051 Sjobring Aug. 25, 1942 2,340,263 Dodson Jan. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 339,639 Germany 192 184,561 Great Britain Aug. 14, 1922 

